An interview by Phil Mole that appeared in the Chicago Flame (The Independent Student Newspaper at the University of Illinois at Chicago)…

God’s own singer of songs is coming home

As a slew of new country-based artists infiltrates the marketplace, it is becoming harder to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Make no mistake about it: Edith Frost is a contender. The former Texas resident and recent Chicago transplant makes music that is too fragile and heartbreakingly beautiful to be ignored. An amazing synthesis of styles, Frost’s music accomplishes the rare feat of sounding familiar and strikingly original at the same time.

"If you ask me what inspires my music as far as other artists," Frost stated, "it’s really hard to say because I love so many kinds of music. There’s not really one that I can think of that I’m trying to sound like. There’s some country in there, but there’s some Cocteau Twins, too."

The range of Frost’s music was first explored on an eponymous EP released last year on Drag City Records. Although recorded on four-track, the songs on Edith Frost showcase an artist with a firm grasp of melody and mood. Still, that release pales in comparison to Frost’s stunning new Calling Over Time. Scheduled for an April release on Drag City, the album fulfills the potential hinted at on the debut EP. This is accomplished through a little studio help from Chicago’s Gastr del Sol. Masters of sonic nuances, the band lends a spacious, atmospheric quality to Frost’s music.

"Rian Murphy (the album’s producer) requested Gastr del Sol," Frost explained. "He just thought that they would be the right band. I was listening to their stuff, and I was like ‘Okay….’ I couldn’t see how it would all relate. I really dug their record, but I just couldn’t fathom how it would all sound together. But when we got into the studio, it was amazing. It was what I never knew I needed."

Frost has been performing music for years, but she only recently began pursuing it as her primary career choice. She put together a demo of originals that she sent out to several recording companies, and soon found herself holding a contract with Drag City.

"I sent out demo tapes just for the fuck of it," Frost said. "I sent out five to five different labels, and Drag City was one of them. In the past couple of years, they said they were going to release a record, and I was like ‘Really?’" Frost shrugs. "People seem to like it."

Frost needn’t be so surprised about Drag City’s acceptance of her music. The melodies of her graceful, fluid songs are outshone only by the poignancy of her lyrics. At once poetic and brutally honest, Frost’s lyrics display a keen intelligence and sensitivity. In "Calling Over Time," Frost sings, "now that you’re in paradise/where you’ve gone to spend your life/I’ll be calling over time/though we may never unite." It’s the kind of distinguished songwriting that characterizes a truly exceptional new artist.

Frost recently played an inspired show with Amy Rigby at Schubas, and she will probably do some touring in the near future to support her new album. She says that she also would like the chance to do some collaborative songwriting with other artists.

"I’ve been asking Mike Krassner (Frost’s bassist at the Shubas gig, and current Pinetop Seven member) to give me some music bits," she stated. "He says he’s got all these little jams that he’s got recorded, and I’m like ‘Give them to me.‘ I want to put vocals on them. I think it would be neat to try that. When I was working with my ex-boyfriend Bill, it would usually be something he’d created, and then I’d go in and add something on top of it. This would be the same — I haven’t done it in awhile. It’s been about ten years since I’ve written with someone." She pauses for a moment, and adds, "I’m all by my lonesome."

Don’t shed any tears for Edith Frost. She’s going to do fine on her own.